Bogo City, located in the northern part of Cebu City, Philippines held its annual Christmas lighting event on December 9th, 2023. It was a highly anticipated occasion not just for the locals or Bogohanons, but also for neighboring towns, including my hometown Tabogon, which is only a 20 to 30-minute drive away.
Although I no longer live in Bogo City where I studied from kindergarten through college, I still consider it as my second home and try to attend programs and events whenever possible. Moreover, since I have family members living in Bogo City, I visit regularly.
Last night, we were there to partake in the yearly Christmas Lighting event wherein public places such as the Public Plaza and Bogo City Hall were adorned with Christmas lights. It was an enjoyable night, and everyone had a great time.
At Bogo City Public Plaza, my son posed with some noisy glow-in-the-dark toys. It was a nostalgic moment because he used to love these toys when he was younger, but now he didn't want any because he's a big boy. I teased him by telling him to choose whatever he wanted, but he didn't choose any. However, he still smiled for the camera like a good boy.
I love attending events like these with my son. Due to my work schedule, I have limited time to spend with him, which makes these opportunities all the more special. Bringing him to programs like these allows him to socialize and enjoy new experiences, while also providing us with quality time together. The memories we create are priceless and cannot be bought with money. As a parent, especially as a mother, it is important to spend time with our children outside of the home and school in order to bond and create lasting memories.
We have just arrived at the Bogo City Amphitheater located inside the Bogo City Public Plaza and as expected, there are a lot of people here. It's not surprising as Bogo City is a safe city that's known for its hospitality and welcoming nature towards neighboring towns during events.
This evening, the Bogo City amphitheater is expected to be filled with families and individuals from different towns who are here to celebrate. It's heartening to see families spending time together, especially in today's world where depression and suicide are rampant.
Spending quality time with loved ones can help alleviate these issues and strengthen bonds. It's crucial for young children to spend time with their families and parents, which can help foster a good connection and open communication.
The program didn't start for a while, which is a common occurrence during events that have designated start times. Even though they announce a specific time, the program usually begins later to ensure everyone is gathered beforehand. However, waiting for an hour made my son bored, so he wanted to leave and check out the Bogo Christmas Night Market nearby, which was within walking distance of the Bogo City Amphitheater. We went there to buy some snacks to enjoy while watching the lighting ceremony.
After grabbing some corn dogs and milk tea at Bogo City's Christmas night market, we headed back to the amphitheater to enjoy the program. The night market had a wide variety of stalls offering tasty treats and refreshing drinks that were sure to satisfy everyone's cravings. My son particularly enjoyed his corn dog alongside a cup of milk tea. Once we finished our snacks, the program began.
The program began with a plethora of mascots. Among them, the Santa Claus was the star of the show and drew the attention of the audience, particularly the kids. Everyone was dancing joyfully to the merry tunes of Christmas songs. Such events are always delightful, especially during the festive season when the cheerful ambiance fills our hearts with joy and excitement.
But, unfortunately, it rained. We had to leave the Bogo City Amphitheater because it was just an open space with no roof and we did not had any umbrellas with us. We went to the house of my aunt located just in Bogo City, and my son stayed there while waiting for the rain to subside. When the rain stopped, we decided to go back and continue the fun, but my son chose to stay at my aunt's house because he was having fun with our other cousins. So I left and met up with my other cousins and friends. We decided to go to the Bogo City Hall.
As we were on our way to Bogo City Hall, we heard the sound of fireworks coming from the nearby Bogo City Amphitheater. Although we couldn't witness the display as we were en route, we caught a glimpse of it from afar. Unfortunately, I couldn't capture any photos as it wasn't visible through the camera lens. Eventually, we made our way to Bogo City Hall and as expected, the city lights were already switched on, indicating that the fireworks display had ended.
Bogo City Hall - Bogo City, Northern Cebu, Philippines
The Bogo City Hall was beautifully illuminated with an array of Christmas lights, accompanied by the sound of drums and music arranged by the Bogo City government. It was a mesmerizing sight and the perfect representation of the Christmas spirit. The government's efforts to ensure that the people of Bogo felt the Christmas vibe were commendable and something the Bogohanons would be proud of.
We relaxed and hung out for a while. Among the group were a mix of my cousins and closest friends. These moments are precious to me, particularly with the Christmas season approaching. Spending quality time with loved ones, especially those you don't often see, is important. Bogo City Hall is a great spot for us because of the ample parking space for our motorcycles and the opportunity to simply enjoy each other's company.
I was pleasantly surprised when my cousin, who was the fourth girl in the photo wearing a black blouse and black skirt, gave me a bag and said it was a gift she had prepared for me. It was unexpected to receive a Christmas present at my age since usually, people my age are the ones who give gifts. Nonetheless, I was overjoyed when I opened it and saw that it was a pair of Shein shorts that fit me perfectly. My cousin is incredibly generous, not only towards me but also towards my son. She never fails to give us gifts during birthdays and special occasions. I am grateful to have her in my life, not just as a cousin, but as a friend. Her generosity warms my heart and brings me so much happiness.
We returned to Bogo City Plaza after visiting the Bogo City Hall, eager to admire the stunning lights and decorations. The diverse designs and displays put up by all the establishments in the area were a sight to behold. Although I couldn't capture all of them due to my phone's low battery, here are the pictures I managed to take from the Bogo City Public Plaza.
We were delighted to witness the magnificent display of lights and designs, particularly the highlight of Bogo Public Plaza, the stunning Bogo City Fountain. This year, it was even more special to see it functioning and pouring water, as it is only turned on during special occasions like the Christmas lighting ceremony or the Bogo City Fiesta. The fountain serves as a symbol of celebration, indicating that the city is commemorating an event and spreading joy to everyone.
Christmas will always excite everyone, especially the children, and for us, children at heart. There is so much joy that the Christmas season brings, and it is undeniable that Christmas is just a season of joy and happiness. It excites me, especially seeing such an event where they are already preparing for the Christmas season.
My Christmas wish list this year is short and sweet. Firstly, I wish for peace - not just for the world, but for myself as well. There's nothing better than feeling at ease and having a sense of serenity. Secondly, I wish for my family to be complete, happy and healthy. Family is everything, and no matter where life takes us or what we achieve, it all comes down to having a complete and content family. I always make sure to spend time with my loved ones and I hope and pray for their well-being. These wishes are priceless, and no amount of money could ever replace them.
Hope we all have a Merry Christmas! Ciao! ☺︎♡